New crate engine packages appear to be coming from Ford Racing’s Performance Parts division fairly steadily these days, providing an ever-broadening variety of choices for hot rodders and racers. For traditionalists, it’s comforting to see that not all of these are based on late-model production overhead-cam engines, like the modular V-8 and the Coyote. Ford hasn’t forgotten its pushrod roots, and in fact, not so long ago tooled up to produce new engine blocks for both the 302 and 351 Windsor, both carrying the Boss label and offering a number of improvements over standard assembly-line blocks.

Among the latest crate packages to be based on the Boss 351 block is the new X427, which was designed with the street performance enthusiast in the crosshairs. Representatives at FRPP tell us that the Z427 engine they released last year has been very popular, though a number of its customers were concerned it might be a bit too hairy for regular street use. Indeed, the Z427 is intended to generate serious output: 535hp and 545-lbs.ft., using a camshaft that yields what performance marketers like to refer to as an “aggressive” idle.

For the street set, the X427 uses Ford Racing’s X-303 heads, which feature smaller intake port volumes that are better suited to lower-RPM airflow, along with 1.94/1.54-inch valves plus 65cc combustion chambers. Naturally, the X427′s camshaft is a bit tamer – it’s a hydraulic roller-lifter design machined to provide .580/.602-inch lift and 232/240 degrees duration (at .050-inch lift). In this configuration, the X427 makes 450hp, and its horsepower curve begins to trail off right around 5,600 RPM; perhaps even more appealing is its 520-lbs.ft. of torque, which comes in a nice, flat curve. Clearly, there’s no need to twist the tach needle all the way around to get the most out of this package, a favorable trait for road-going engines.

The X427 is intended primarily for use with carburetion, though FRPP reps tell us that adding EFI should not pose a problem, particularly with the relatively smooth idle quality of this combination. However, an intake manifold is not included in the package (offered under part number M-6007-X427FT for front-sump oil pan or with the RT suffix for a rear-sump pan), nor is a distributor (though recommendations for both are available from FRPP) at the suggested retail of $8,995. For more details on engine specs, output and pricing, go to FordRacingParts.com.